Steering wheel control apparatus for a television game machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a steering wheel control apparatus for a television game machine, that is used for a car race game, etc., that is structured compactly and simply, and that can be operated while the apparatus is fixed at an optimal position. The feature of the steering wheel control apparatus is that a plurality of button switches transmitting game control signal are provided on a surface of upper posts between a center portion of a steering wheel and hand grips on each side thereof, within a range to which a thumbs of player&#39;s hand holding the grip without departing from the grips. Further, at the reverse of the center portion of the steering wheel, shift levers having operation points near the respective grips are provided. The side face of a base casing rotatably supporting the steering wheel is extended perpendicularly and to the front and to the rear so that the player can securely hold the base case between the thighs. In addition, the steering wheel control apparatus includes a structure for adjusting the angle and the height of the steering wheel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a steering wheel control apparatus thatis connected to a home television game machine by a cable or by radioand that is manipulated by a player.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional television game machines that simulate the operations ofvehicles, such as automobiles, airplanes and ships, are used as is shownin FIG. 1, for example.

More specifically, a television game machine 1 transmits video imagesignals and speech signals to a television set 2, via a cable, for agame program that is contained in a game cartridge, which is installedin the television game machine 1, and thus provides a game on thetelevision set 2. A steering wheel control apparatus 3 for a car racegame is connected to the television game machine 1 and outputs a drivesignal to the television game machine 1 to control the game.

In the steering wheel control apparatus 3, its body 4 corresponds to theinstrument panel of an automobile, and a steering wheel 6 is attached tothe distal end of a steering shaft 5, which is so provided that itprojects diagonally upward from the body 4.

During the game, the player needs only manipulate the steering wheelcontrol apparatus 3, while the steering wheel control apparatus 3 isplaced either on a table 7, as is shown in FIG. 1, or directly on afloor. In addition, when the player sits on a sofa, etc., to play agame, he can place the steering wheel control apparatus 3 on his lap.Under such conditions, the player commonly manipulates a button switchor a shift lever (not shown), which are provided on the body 4, whileoperating the steering wheel 6.

Such a conventional steering wheel control apparatus, however, does notprovide excellent usability, and has the following shortcomings.

The first problem is concerned with the positions of the variousswitches that are located on a steering wheel control apparatus. Morespecifically, for the television game machine that simulates theoperations of vehicles, such as cars, airplanes and ships, bymanipulating a steering wheel while watching a monitor screen, inaddition to a steering wheel, which is employed to indicate thedirection of travel, a steering wheel control apparatus normallyincludes various switches that are mounted on the body. There aresteering apparatuses that resemble a control stick for an airplane,where one push button switch is provided on the top of the control stickor where a button switch is provided on the reverse side of the controlstick.

The above television game, however, requires not only the operation of asteering device to indicate the direction of movement, but also themanipulation of switches for accelerating, for braking and for shiftinggears, or for offensive and defensive maneuvering and for changing afield view. As these switches are arranged on the body 4 of the steeringwheel control apparatus 3, as is shown in the above prior art, a playermust remove one hand from the steering wheel 6 to manipulate theswitches during the game, so that prompt reaction is difficult andusability is degraded.

It is possible for a player to hold a steering wheel with one hand andto place the other hand on the switches in advance; however, the drivingposture will be uncomfortable and the operation will be carelesslyperformed.

While, as is described above there are control stick steering devicesthat have a single button switch, there are no such control apparatusesthat have a plurality of switches that can be selected and manipulatedwhile a control stick is being held. The above described control sticksteering devices, therefore, are not appropriate for games that requiremultiple operation switches.

However, if a control apparatus has only one operation switch that islocated out of sight, it will not cause any problems during operation.Whereas if there are a plurality of switches that are positioned out ofsight, since they are outside the field of vision, when they are usedoperating errors can occur.

The second problem is related to a gearshift lever that is frequentlyused during a car race game. Primarily, the operation switch thatcorresponds to a gearshift lever is attached to the body 4.

Since a player needs to remove one hand from the steering wheel 6 tomanipulate a gearshift lever during the game, there is loss of time atthe shift operation. Thus, in a car race game in which quick responsesare required, a player can not cope with the speed at which the gameprogresses.

For large game machines that are installed in a game center, etc.,gearshift levers are so provided for a steering wheel as to resemble thearrangement for a real racecar. This gearshift lever is called a seesawgearshift lever, or a so-called a butterfly gearshift lever, which is sodesigned that a shift-up operation and a shift-down operation can not beperformed at the same time.

The butterfly gearshift lever is so designed that it is large and theperiphery of the steering wheel is accordingly complicated and does nothave an attractive appearance.

The butterfly gearshift lever is not appropriate for installation on asteering wheel control apparatus for home use that must be compactlymade.

The third problem arises when, as is shown in FIG. 1, a game is playedwhile the steering wheel control apparatus 3 is positioned on the table7, and the manipulation of the steering wheel 6 must be performed asquickly as possible for a car racing game, etc. When a player is engagedin such a game, extra force is imposed on the steering wheel 6, with theresult that the steering wheel control apparatus 3 is moved.

When the steering wheel control apparatus 3 is moved, it is impossibleto control the direction of travel by using the steering wheel 6, and itis necessary to halt the game during play.

As a player must therefore constantly take care not to move the steeringwheel control apparatus 3 while handling the steering wheel 6, theplayer can not concentrate on the game.

The same conditions are encountered when the steering wheel controlapparatus 3 is placed on a floor and used. Further, when the steeringwheel control apparatus 3 is held on the lap and used, the steeringwheel control apparatus 3 is not stably supported and a player has totake so much care not to move the control apparatus 3 that the playercan not concentrate on the game that is being played.

Since the player must pay attention to matters other than thoseconcerned with the playing of a game, the player is prevented fromconcentrating fully on playing the game, and can not, therefore,thoroughly enjoy it.

The fourth problem is related to the position of the steering wheel 6.The steering wheel 6 is fixed in a standard position on the steeringwheel control apparatus 3 for a television game machine. When theposition of the steering wheel 6 is so fixed, the operation of thesteering wheel 6 may be difficult for a player whose size does notcorrespond to the average, or for a player who has a unique operatingposture. To provide realism in the procedures for the game, someconventional control apparatuses 3 vibrate the steering wheel 6 bycausing the steering wheel 6 to slide up and down and to be extendedupward and retracted. Such a performance is only for causing thevibration, and under normal conditions, when vibration is not required,the steering wheel 6 returns to the standard position, which is notalways the position that is appropriate for a player.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide asteering wheel control apparatus, for a home television game machine,that is compactly made and has a simple structure, and that overcomesthe various operational shortcomings that are detailed above.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a steeringwheel control apparatus, for a television game machine, wherewith aplayer can selectively manipulate a plurality of switches while holdinga steering wheel.

To achieve the above objects, according to the present invention, asteering wheel control apparatus, which is employed as control means fora television game machine, comprises: a steering wheel having apredetermined grip; and a plurality of button switches that are soarranged and positioned, at a front location on the steering wheel, asto be accessible when the thumb of a hand with which the grip is held isshifted while the hand is holding the steering wheel.

As a result, a player can selectively manipulate a plurality of buttonswitches while holding the steering wheel. The steering wheel controlapparatus, therefore, possesses excellent usability, and is appropriatefor television games that require quick control responses. Thus it ispossible for games to provide progressively greater gratification forplayers as skill is acquired in their use, and the players can enjoy thegames more.

A plurality of button switches are located at the front of the steeringwheel and within sight of the player, so that a player can observe themanipulation of switches and can prevent errors during their operation.

For a rotary steering wheel that has a pair of grip portions, thearrangement of a plurality of button switches on the grip portions canfacilitate a more complex and a higher level switch manipulation.

According to the present invention, a switch, such as a game startswitch, that is not used during a game is located in the center, or inthe vicinity of the center, at the front of the steering wheel. Withthis arrangement, since to manipulate that switch one hand must beremoved from the steering wheel, manipulation errors can be prevented.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide asteering wheel control apparatus, for a home television game machine,that has a gearshift mechanism that is compactly and simply constructedaround a steering wheel and that is appropriate for employment with sucha steering wheel control apparatus when it is used with a hometelevision game machine.

To achieve this object, according to the present invention, a steeringwheel control apparatus, which is used for a television game machine,comprises: a pair of grip portions that are positioned at predeterminedright and left locations on a steering wheel; and a pair of shift leversthat are provided on a reverse surface of the steering wheel, with thepair of shift levers having manipulable segments, which are near thepair of grip portions, whereat, when fingers of both hands holding thepair of grip portions are in contact with the manipulable segments, asignal to shift up a gear is generated by actuation of one of thegearshift levers and a signal to shift down a gear is generated byactuation of the other gearshift lever.

Since a steering wheel control apparatus according to the presentinvention is so designed that the individual shift levers on the reversesurface of a steering handle are operated independently, the shift levermechanism can be compactly and simply constructed around the steeringwheel, and is appropriate for employment with the steering wheel controlapparatus for home use. Even with a television game that is played athome, a player can enjoy a sense of control that is similar to thatwhich is experienced when actually driving a racecar.

A signal processing means for processing signals from the shift leversis provided so that, even when both the shift levers are being operated,it is assumed that the control that is imposed by one of the gearshiftlevers is valid and that the result of the operation of the other isinvalid. Errors that occur during the operation of the gearshift leverscan be automatically eliminated. Further, the control apparatus can bethus fixed in place, and the operation of the apparatus that has buttonswitches and the shift levers on the obverse and reverse sides of thesteering wheel can be performed perfectly.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a steeringwheel control apparatus, for a television game machine, that a playercan easily and securely fix in place so that the player does not have totake special care not to move the control apparatus while engaged inplaying a game.

To achieve this object, according to the present invention, with asteering wheel control apparatus, which is used for a television gamemachine, a base casing that rotatably supports a steering shaft for asteering wheel has sides that are extended perpendicularly andsubstantially forward and backward so that the sides can be easily heldbetween player's thighs.

Since a player can securely hold the base casing between the thighs, andthe player does not, therefore, have to be careful about shifting thesteering wheel control apparatus unnecessarily while manipulating thesteering wheel, when engaged in a game, the player can concentrate onand fully enjoy playing the game.

A plate is extended to the right and to the left along the bottom faceof the base casing. The player can hold the base casing between thethighs, and at the same time, can press down on the plate, which extendsoutward to either side, with the thighs from above, so that the basecasing can be held more securely.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide asteering wheel position adjustment structure, of a steering wheelcontrol apparatus for a television game machine, that permits a steeringwheel to be moved to an optimal operating position for a player.

To achieve this object, according to the present invention, a steeringwheel position adjusting structure, of a steering wheel controlapparatus that is used for a television game machine, comprises: asteering column for rotatably supporting a steering wheel; a base casingthat pivots and permits the steering column to be freely inclined;temporary holding means for permitting the steering column to beinclined and for temporarily holding the steering column at a desiredposition; and locking means for inhibiting an inclination of thesteering column.

When the locking means has been released, the steering column istemporarily held by the temporary holding means so that it can beinclined. The steering column is freely inclined by moving a steeringwheel and can be maintained at a proper inclination. Then, the steeringwheel can be secured in an optimal inclined position by setting andlocking the locking means.

In the temporary holding means, the external bottom wall face of thesteering column is virtually formed in a curved shape, and a pluralityof grooves that extend toward the sides are formed along thecircumference of the curved face. An engagement member is formed thatextends outward from the base casing and that has an engagementprotrusion at its distal end, which is displaced downward by elasticdeformation. When the engagement protrusion engages one of the groovesin the steering column, the inclined steering column is temporarily heldat that position. In the locking means, the active portion of aninclination locking member, which is provided for the base casing, canbe freely engaged downward with, and disengaged from the engagementprotrusion. When the active portion of the inclination locking memberengages the engagement protrusion, the locking means inhibits thedownward displacement of the engagement protrusion and thus provides thelocked state. When the active portion of the inclination locking memberis separated from the engagement protrusion, the locking means permitsthe downward displacement of the engagement protrusion and thus providesthe lock released state.

With this arrangement, if the locking is released by operating theinclination locking member, the downward displacement of the engagementprotrusion is permitted. In this condition, when the steering column isinclined, at its distal end the engagement protrusion is disengaged fromthe groove in the steering column by the elastic deformation of theengagement member, and engages another groove, after sliding over thecylindrical portion between the grooves, to hold the steering columntemporarily.

In the lock released state, the steering column can be freely inclinedby moving the steering wheel and can be temporarily held at a desiredposition. Further, when the inclination locking member is operated andit is set in the locked state, the downward displacement of theengagement protrusion is inhibited. The engagement protrusion istherefore securely fitted in the groove in the steering column and theinclination of the steering wheel is fixed.

In addition, to achieve the above object, according to the presentinvention, a steering wheel position adjusting structure, of a steeringwheel control apparatus that is employed for a television game machine,comprises: temporary holding means for extending or depressing asteering shaft, which is integrally formed with a steering wheel and fortemporarily holding the steering shaft at a desired position; andlocking means for inhibiting the steering shaft from being extended ordepressed.

When the locking means is set in the lock released state, the steeringshaft is temporarily held by the temporary holding means so that it canbe freely extended or depressed. The steering shaft can therefore befreely extended or depressed with the steering handle and can betemporarily maintained at a desired height. When the steering shaft islocked by the locking means, the steering wheel can be fixed at anoptimal vertical position.

For the temporary holding means, a plurality of grooves that extend in adirection that is perpendicular relative to the axial direction of thesteering shaft are formed in the surface of and around the steeringshaft. An engagement piece is provided on the end of a cylindricalengagement member that engages the steering shaft, which can be freelyextended and depressed in the axial direction, and that rotates with thesteering shaft. The engagement piece can be displaced by the elasticdeformation in the direction of the greatest diameter of an inwardprotruding engagement pawl that is provided at the distal end of theengagement piece. When the engagement pawl engages one of the grooves inthe steering shaft, the extension/depression position of the steeringshaft is temporarily determined. In the locking means, a circularextension/depression locking member, which rotatably engages the end ofthe cylindrical engagement member, is so operated that the activeportion of the extension/depression locking member can be externallyconnected to, or disconnected from, the engagement piece of theengagement member. And the cylindrical engagement member is rotatablysupported by the steering column. When the active portion of theextension/depression locking member contacts the engagement piece of theengagement member, the expansion of the diameter of the engagement pieceis inhibited and the engagement member is locked in place. When theactive portion of the extension/depression locking member is separatedfrom the engagement piece of the engagement member, the expansion of thediameter of the engagement piece is permitted and the locked state isreleased.

When the locking condition is released by the operation of theextension/depression locking member, the displacement of the engagementpawl in the direction in which the diameter is expanded is permitted.Under this condition, when the steering shaft is extended or depressed,the engagement pawl at the end is removed from the groove in thesteering shaft by the elastic deformation of the engagement piece, andengages another groove after sliding over the side face between thegrooves, so that the steering shaft is thus temporarily held.

As is described above, in the lock released state, the steering shaftcan be freely extended and depressed with the steering wheel, and can betemporarily held at a desired position. Further, since, in the lockedstate that is provided by the operation of the extension/depressionlocking member, the displacement of the engagement piece is inhibited inthe direction in which the diameter is expanded, the engagement pawl issecurely fitted into the groove of the steering shaft and the verticalposition of the steering wheel is fixed.

The inclination and the extension/depression of the steering wheel canbe adjusted by the provision of the steering wheel inclination positionadjustment structure and the steering wheel extension/depressionposition adjustment structure.

According to the present invention, a plurality of button switches areprovided above and on the right and the left sides at given positions ona steering wheel, and a gearshift lever pair is arranged on the reverseside. While a steering wheel is being handled, these button switches andthe gearshift lever pair can be manipulated by the thumbs and the otherfingers. In addition, for increased usability, the base casing of thesteering wheel control apparatus can be securely positioned by its beingheld between the thighs of a player. Further, since the verticalposition and the rotational position of the steering wheel can beadjusted, a player can more easily handle the steering wheel whilemanipulating the button switches and the gearshift levers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are provided as reference material forenhanced comprehension of the present invention and to accompany theexplanation of the present invention. The present invention, however, isnot limited to the structure that are depicted in the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a sketch illustrating a conventional steering wheel controlapparatus that is being used;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a steering wheel control apparatus according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a steering wheel control apparatus according tothe embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a steering wheel control apparatus according tothe embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sketch illustrating a right hand holding the right gripportion of the steering wheel in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of a steering wheelshowing a gearshift lever according to the embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional view of the steering wheel in FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a simultaneous driving processor forthe gearshift levers in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a sketch showing the steering wheel control apparatusaccording to the embodiment of the present invention while it is in use;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the steering wheel control apparatus with thebase casing in its cross section, showing the inclination locked stateof the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the steering wheel control apparatus in FIG.10 when it is temporarily held;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a steering shaft, anextension/depression locking member, and an engagement cylinder memberthat constitute an extension/depression adjustment mechanism accordingto the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the steering wheel controlapparatus when the extension/depression portion adjustment structure islocked by the mechanism in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the steering wheel controlapparatus when the extension/depression portion adjustment structure istemporarily held by the mechanism in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of an extension/depression locking member 38 inFIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a partially cutaway side view of a centering mechanism of thesteering wheel control apparatus according to the embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the centering mechanism when the steeringwheel is rotated to the right;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the centering mechanism when the steeringwheel is rotated to the left;

FIG. 19 is a top view of the steering wheel of the steering wheelcontrol apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a top view of a handlebar control apparatus according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a control column control apparatusaccording to an additional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a rear view of a steering wheel control apparatus accordingto a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is an exploded diagram of a steering wheel showing shift leversaccording to still another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view of the steering wheel in FIG. 23.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Outline of a steering wheelcontrol apparatus

FIGS. 2 through 4 are a rear view, a top view and a side view for asteering wheel control apparatus according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

The steering wheel control apparatus of the embodiment is employed bybeing connected to a home television game. As is shown in FIG. 1 for theprior art, a television game machine 1 transmits an image signal and aspeech signal to a television 2 to develop a game. A steering wheelcontrol apparatus 3 according to the embodiment, which is used for adriving game, such as a car racing game, is connected for control to thetelevision game machine 1 via a cable 16, and outputs drive controlsignals to the television game machine 1 to control the progress of thegame. In this embodiment, the steering wheel control apparatus 3 mayalso output the drive control signals to the television game machine 1through radio.

A player needs only to operate the steering wheel control apparatus 3,and may use it by placing it on a table 4, as is shown in FIG. 1, ordirectly on a floor.

The player installs a software cartridge for a driving game, such as acar racing game, in the television game machine 1, holds a steeringwheel 14 of the steering wheel control apparatus 3, and starts the game.

For a car racing game, a scene representing a race track as it is viewedfrom the operator's seat of a racecar and that includes imagesrepresenting competitors' cars appears on a television 2 that is infront of the player. The video scene changes in response to themanipulation of the driving controls, so that the player is given thesense of driving as a participant in a car race.

The basic structure of the steering wheel control apparatus 3 in thisembodiment will now be explained.

For a base casing 10 of the steering wheel control apparatus 3, anupright front wall 10a inclines slightly to the rear up to its top rearedge, a top wall 10b is formed so that it inclines diagonally downwardto the rear until it reaches a bottom wall and thus serves as a rearwall, and side walls 10c cover the right and the left sides.

The side walls 10c approach each other as they extend to the rear.

The lower ends of the side walls extend horizontally to the right andleft, and the rear edge of the top wall 10b extends backwardhorizontally so together they form a single plate 10d. The plate 10d issubstantially rectangular in shape and creping is performed on thesurface.

The lower face of the base casing 10 is covered with a bottom plate 11.

A cylindrical steering column 12 is fitted to an opening in the centerof the inclined top wall 10b, and a steering shaft 13 is inserted intothe steering column 12 to rotatably support the shaft 13. A steeringwheel 14 is integrally formed at the upper end of the steering shaft 13that projects upward.

The steering wheel 14 extends to the right and to the left and has handgrips 14a at the edge portions. These grips 14a are formed via upper andlower posts 14b and 14c that extend radially to the right and to theleft from the steering wheel center portion 14d. Three push buttonswitches 15 are arranged on the upper post 14b that is located in frontof each of the grips 14a. Gearshift levers 125 and 126 that controlgears during a car racing game are provided on the rear side of thesteering wheel 14, so that the operating portion for each of thegearshift levers 125 and 126 is positioned in an arched opening 14e thatlies between the steering wheel center portion 14d and the hand grip14a. Another button switch 19 is located above the steering wheel centerportion 14d.

A cable 16 that extends from the steering column 12 is connected to thetelevision game machine 1.

The steering wheel control apparatus 3 in the embodiment has the abovedescribed appearance and its base casing 10 is formed in the aboveshape. To use such a steering wheel control apparatus 3, as will beexplained while referring to FIG. 9, a player who is seated on, a pieceof furniture, such as a sofa, places the steering wheel controlapparatus 3 between the thighs. Then, while holding the side walls 10cof the base casing 10 with the thighs, at the same time the playersandwiches the horizontally extending plate 10d between the thighs andthe seat so as to stabilize the steering wheel control apparatus 3.

Button switches on the steering wheel control apparatus

In FIG. 5 is shown the state when the right hand grip 14a is held by theright hand. The hand grip 14a can be securely held with the fingers,except for the thumb, and the proximal joint of the thumb. The threepush button switches 15 are so arranged that they lie within a rangewhere the thumb can move freely, and especially at positions where thepad of the right thumb (the palmar surface of the thumb where the curvedridges that produce a fingerprint are located) can easily be broughtinto contact with the buttons 15. Though not shown, the three pushbutton switches on the left side are also arranged at the positionswhere the pad of the left thumb can easily be brought into contact withthe button switches while the left hand holds the hand grip 14a.

A player, therefore, can selectively depress the switches in the twothree push button sets with the right or the left thumb, whileexercising control by securely holding the hand grips 14a with bothhands.

On the other hand, the push button switch 19 that is located above thesteering wheel center portion 14d can not be depressed unless one or theother of the hands releases a hand grip 14a.

The push button switches 15 and 19 are located on the front face of thesteering wheel 14 that is in sight of an operator with a common posture.In addition, the button switches 15 are located on either upper posts14b between the right and left hand grips 14a . Therefore, a player canlook at these button switches 15 while depressing them with the thumbsand without releasing the hand grips.

An example where the present invention is applied to a car racing gamewill now be explained.

In this game, acceleration, braking, gear changing and jumping can beperformed, and an image on a television screen can be altered so that ascene can be viewed from various angles.

Various viewing angles can be selected: an angle at which an operator iscommonly looking straight forward from an operator's seat; an angle atwhich an operator is looking to the rear; and an angle for a view pointthat is different from the view from the view point of the operator andthat is upward and diagonally to the rear of the car.

Among the three push button switches 15 on the right side, the rightmostbush button switch is an acceleration switch, the middle push buttonswitch is a brake switch, and the leftmost push button switch is a jumpswitch. These switches are manipulated frequently during the game. Whilethe hand grip 14a is held by the right hand, the right thumb can beemployed to selectively depress the push button switches 15.

Among the three push button switches 15 on the left side, the leftmostpush button switch is, for example, a gear change switch and the othertwo are switches for changing the view angle. While the hand grip 14a isheld by the left hand, the left hand thumb can be employed toselectively depress the three push button switches 15.

The push button switch 19 that is located above the steering wheelcenter portion 14d is a game start switch.

After a player starts the game by depressing the push button switch 19that is above the steering wheel center portion 14d, the player graspsthe hand grips 14a with both hands, controls the steering wheel 14 fordriving while watching the image on the television screen, andselectively employs his thumbs to depress the three push button switches15 on either side without releasing either hand from the hand grips 14a.Thus, usability is excellent and quick operating responses are possible;and as the player gains proficiency, his enjoyment of the gameincreases.

The thumb of the right hand, especially, is frequently employed inconsonance with race conditions to change the driving speed or to make ajump, so that a player's skill is best demonstrated by its use.

The gear change switch that is depressed by the thumb of the left handis used rather frequently. The remaining push button switches, which areemployed to change the view angle, are operated to acquire informationabout the position of the player's car and about how the race isprogressing.

Since the push button switches that are to be depressed by the thumbscan be visually identified, erroneous selections can be avoided.

Further, since the push button switches are located within the rangewhere the thumbs of the hands on the hand grips can contact them, notmuch space for the installation of these switches is required and theperiphery of a steering wheel can be compactly designed.

On the other hand, as there is no need to depress the push button switch19 during a game, and since if the switch 19 is mistakenly depressed itwill cause an annoying interruption, i.e., the halting of the game, theswitch 19 is so positioned that a hand must be removed from a grip todepress it in order to prevent it from being mistakenly depressed.

Shift levers for the steering wheel control apparatus

Conventionally, multiple operating switches of various types areprovided for the base casing 10 of the steering wheel control apparatus3, and a switch for instructing the shifting of a gear in a game is alsoprovided on the base casing 10. In the steering wheel control apparatus3 of this embodiment, the shift levers 125 and 126 are provided for thesteering wheel 14.

The driving mechanism of the shift levers 125 and 126 will be describedwhile referring to FIGS. 6 and 7.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 is shown the structure of the right shift lever 126;the left shift lever 125 has the same structure. The right shift lever126 is used to instruct a shift up and the left shift lever 125 isemployed to instruct a shift down.

The steering wheel 14 is constituted by joining casings 120a and 120bthat are an obverse half and a reverse half (an upper half and a lowerhalf), which are substantially symmetrical.

In the reverse side casing 120b, the circumference of a bottom wall 130is enclosed within an external wall 131 and an internal wall 132 that isformed around the opening 14e.

One part of the bottom wall 130 projects inward (upward) along theinternal wall 132, at the opening 14e, which is near the center, to forma recessed rectangular step wall 133. At the front and the rear of thestep wall 133 are side walls that extend the front and the rear internalwalls 132. In the center of the step wall 133, a perpendicularrectangular opening 134 is formed that extends longitudinally to thefront and to the rear.

Circular holes 135 and 136 that are positioned in line are provided inthe step wall 133, and upright cylindrical portions 135a and 136a areprovided around the circular holes 135 and 136, respectively.

A boss 137, in which a screw hole is formed, and a pin 138 projectupward near the rear circular hole 136.

A pair of bearings 139 are located upright on the bottom wall 130 at aposition that faces a rectangular opening 134. The paired bearings 139are rectangular pieces that face each other, and that have a recess 139aformed in each upper edge.

In the obverse side casing 120a, to correspond to the reverse sidecasing 120b, a bottom wall 140 is enclosed within an external wall 141,and an opening 14e is defined by an internal wall 142. A pair of frontand rear pressure pieces 143 that correspond to the bearings 139 projectdownward from the bottom wall 140.

A rubber contact piece 150 is fitted into and around the cylindricalportion 136a of the step wall 133 in the reverse side casing 120b. Thecone shaped rubber contact piece 150 is inserted into the cylindricalportion 136a with a distal cone end 150a facing downward. A flange 150bat its circumference is positioned and supported on the upper edge ofthe cylindrical portion 136a and a rectangular switch base plate 151 ispressed against it.

The switch base plate 151 includes circular holes 151a and 151b that arelocated at diagonally facing corners. The upper end of the pin 138 isfitted into the circular hole 151b, while a screw 152 is fitted into theother circular hole 151a and into the boss 137. The switch base plate151 is thus fixed to the casing 120b while pressing against the rubbercontact piece 150.

Electric cords 151d extend from the switch base plate 151.

A tactile or a micro switch may be employed instead of the rubbercontact 150.

As is shown in FIG. 7, the distal end portion 150a of the rubber contactpiece 150 projects downward a little through the circular hole 136, anda contact terminal 150c is provided on the reverse side of the distalend portion 150a.

A contact terminal 151c is located on the switch base plate 151 oppositeto the contact terminal 150c. When the distal end portion 150a of therubber contact 150 is pushed up from below and elastic deformation movesthe contact terminal 150c upward and brings it into contact with thecontact terminal 151c, the switch is turned on.

A spring 153 is inserted in the cylindrical portion 135a on the stepwall 133.

With this arrangement, the shift lever 126 is attached under the stepwall 133, for which the rubber contact piece 150 and the spring 153 areprovided.

The shift lever 126 is formed as though a rectangle plate were folded toform three steps, as is shown in FIG. 6. Assuming that the left side isthe base end side, a base end horizontal portion 126a; an inclinationportion 126b, which is folded diagonally downward; a horizontal centerportion 126c, which is so folded that it runs horizontally; aperpendicular portion 126d, which is folded vertically downward; and ahorizontal distal end portion 126e, which is so folded that it runshorizontally, are formed in the named order from the base end toward theopposite, the distal end.

A rotary shaft 127 is securely attached to the edge of the base endhorizontal portion 126a. The projecting ends 127a are rotatably fittedinto the recesses 129a in the bearings 139. The horizontal centerportion 126c, which the bottom wall 130 of the casing 120b contacts, islocated at a position that is one step lower than the base endhorizontal portion 126a and the inclined portion 126b is between them.The horizontal distal end portion 126e is located at the position thatis lower by the thickness of the bottom wall 130 than the horizontalcenter portion 126c, and the perpendicular portion 126d is between them(see FIG. 7).

The positions of cylinders 128 and 129, which project upward from thedistal end horizontal portion 126e, correspond to the positions of thecircular holes 135 and 136 in the step wall 133 of the casing 120b, anda vertically elongated stopper 126f is provided outward of the cylinders128 and 129.

To assemble the shift lever 126, the base end horizontal portion 126a isinserted into the rectangular opening 134 below the step wall 133 of thereverse side casing 120b, and both ends 127a of the rotary shaft 127 arefitted into the recesses 139a of the bearings 139. Then, as is shown inFIG. 7, the horizontal center portion 126c rests on the bottom wall 130,the perpendicular portion 126d extends outward from the rectangularopening 134, and the distal end horizontal portion 126e lies in the sameplane as the bottom wall 133, while the distal end of the portion 126eprojects slightly into the opening 14e.

The cylinder 129 stands opposite the distal end portion 150a of therubber contact 150, which is exposed and extends downward through thecircular hole 136. The other cylinder 128 stands opposite the circularhole 135.

The stopper 126f is opposite the inner edge of the internal wall 132along the opening 14e.

When the spring 153 is inserted into the cylinder 135a around the edgeof the circular hole 135 and the distal end reaches the horizontalportion 126e of the lower shift lever 126, the cylinder 128 is insertedinto the spring 153 to serve as the core for the spring.

When the obverse side casing 120a is coupled with the thus structuredreverse side casing 120b, the external walls 131 and 141 and theinternal walls 132 and 142 abut against each other and form a continuoussurface. The ends 127a of the rotary shaft 127 of the shift lever 126are pressed down lightly, so that presser pieces 143 and the bearings139 are slightly shifted relative to each other and overlapped, and theposition of the rotary shaft 127 is so fixed that it can be rotated.

The spring 153 is situated between the obverse casing 120a and the shiftlever 126 and pushes the shift lever 126 down.

Therefore, the shift lever 126 can swing vertically around the rotaryshaft 127, and when no external force is applied, the shift lever 126 isdriven down by the spring 153 so as to provide a surface that is in thesame plane as the reverse side casing 120b of the steering wheel, as isindicated by the solid lines in FIG. 7. When the end (operating point)of the distal end horizontal portion 126e, which extends slightly intothe opening 14e of the shift lever 126, is pushed upward, as isindicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 7, the shift lever 126is raised against the downward pressure that is exerted by the spring153. The cylinder 129 pushes the distal end portion 150a of the rubbercontact 150 upward so that the contact terminal 150c is brought intocontact with the contact terminal 151c on the switch base plate 151 andthe switch is turned on.

The stopper 126f abuts upon the step wall 133 to prevent unnecessarymovement of the shift lever.

Although only the driving mechanism for the right shift lever 126 hasbeen explained, the driving mechanism for the left shift lever 125 isthe same. When the control apparatus is actually operated by a player,the player grasps both hand grips 14a of the steering wheel 14 to rotatethe steering wheel 14, and to operate the shift levers 125 and 126,places the fingers other than the thumbs at points where they may belifted.

The right shift lever 126 may be operated to shift up, while the leftshift lever 125 may be operated to shift down.

Although the right and left shift levers 125 and 126 are independentlyprovided in this embodiment, according to another embodiment of thepresent invention, the right and left shift levers may be integrallyformed. That embodiment will now be explained while referring to FIGS.23 and 24.

FIG. 23 is a bottom view of a steering wheel 14 with a lower casing 120bremoved. FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view taken along the line A--Ashowing the state when the lower casing 120b is attached. The right andleft shift levers 125 and 126 are integrally formed as is denoted byreference number 170 as a right and left operation member in thisembodiment. In other words, the portion that extends from a rightoperating portion 170R to a left operating portion 170L is integrallyformed. For the shift lever 170, a rotary shaft 171 that is provided inthe center is fixed between a shaft support portion 172a, which isprovided on an upper casing 120a, and a shaft support portion 172b,which is provided on the lower casing 120b. The operating portions 170Rand 170L of the shift lever 170 are respectively projected into theright and the left openings 14e through gaps between an internal wall142 of the upper casing 120a and a bottom wall 130 of the lower casing120b.

Further, upright stoppers 173 that are formed on the shift lever 170 arelocated opposite stoppers 174 on the upper casing 120a. In FIG. 24, theleft operating portion 170L has been pulled up, while the rightoperating portion 170R has been accordingly lowered because they areintegrally formed.

Right and left limit switches 178 are provided on the upper casing 120a.Windows 175 for switches are so provided in the shift lever 170 thatthey match the positions of the limit switches 178. In addition, switchmanipulation portions 176 are so provided in the shift lever 170 thatthey match the positions of switch operating pieces 179 of the limitswitches 178. As is apparent from FIGS. 23 and 24, the limit switches178 are inserted into the switch windows 175. The switch manipulationportion 176 of one of the operating portions 170R and 170L that ispulled up presses the operating piece 179 of the corresponding limitswitch 178, so that the switch is turned on.

With the integrally formed structure, right and left shift levers can beprevented, to a degree, from being pulled up at the same time.

As is described above, the shift levers can be located at the reverse ofa steering wheel for the television game machine for home use. A playercan perform a shift change without removing his hands from the steeringwheel, and can experience a feeling that is similar to the sensationthat is encountered during actual operation of a racecar.

Since, as is described above, the steering wheel control apparatus has acompact structure with which the operation of the right and left shiftlevers is performed independently, the apparatus is optimal for a hometelevision game machine, and has a good appearance because of thesimplified periphery of the steering wheel.

Since the points at which operation of the shift levers 125 and 126 ispossible are the edges of the horizontal distal end portions 126e, theshift lever can be actuated by touching it with one of the fingers otherthan a thumb. A player therefore can easily operate the shift levers andavoid operation errors.

As the right and left shift levers 125 and 126 are independentlyoperated, even though they are usually not actuated at the same time,there is a chance that the shift levers 125 and 126 can through error beoperated erroneously at the same time. In such a case, a shift up signaland a shift down signal are generated at the same time, and thereforespecific processing is required. In the modification shown in FIGS. 23and 24, the integrally formed shift lever will be elastically deformedif a player pushes up on both sides of the shift lever with a strongerthan usual pressure, and the operation for the right and left shiftlever portions will be initiated at the same time and instructionsignals for both operations will be generated.

The steering wheel control apparatus 3 in this embodiment has anelectric processor that is employed when both the right and the leftshift levers 125 and 126 are in the operational state.

The processor is shown in FIG. 8.

A shift down switch 160 for the left shift lever 125 and a shift upswitch 161 for the right shift lever 126 are connected to the groundterminal at one ends and are connected to input terminals of respectiveOR gate type NAND gates 162 and 163 at another ends with being pulled upto voltage V_(cc).

The output terminals of the NAND gates 162 and 163 are respectivelyconnected to one input terminals I₁ and I₄ of AND gate type NAND gates164 and 165. Output terminals O₁ and O₂ of the NAND gates 164 and 165are connected to another input terminals I₃ and I₂ of the NAND gates 165and 164.

A signal indicating a shift down is output from the output terminal O₁of the NAND gate 164, and a signal indicating a shift up is output fromthe output terminal O₂ of the NAND gate 165.

With a high voltage level as 1 and a low voltage level as 0, when bothswitches 160 and 161 are off, the input terminals I₁ and I₄ of the NANDgates 164 and 165 are at 0 and the output terminals O₁ and O₂ are at 1(it should be noted that when the output is a 0 an instruction signal isgenerated).

If one of the switches, for example, the shift down switch 160 is turnedon first, the voltage level at the input terminal I₁ of the NAND gate164 is changed to 1, and the voltage level at the other input terminalI₂ is 1. Thus, the voltage level at the output terminal O₁ becomes 0 anda shift down instruction signal is output.

At this time, the input terminal I₃ of the NAND gate 165 has a voltagelevel of 0. Even if the shift up switch 161 is turned on later so thatboth switches are in the ON state at the same time and the voltage levelat the input terminal I₄ becomes 1, the output terminal O₂ remains at 1,and a shift up instruction is not issued.

Therefore, priority is given to the switch that is turned on first andthat switch is regarded as the valid one, while the switch that isturned on later is invalid.

As is described above, when the switches are placed in the operatingstate at the same time, and when the shift down switch 160 is turned offfirst, the voltage at the input terminal I₁ of the NAND gate 164 is setto 0. Accordingly, the voltage level at the output terminal O₁ becomes 1and the instruction for a shift down is not generated. At the same time,the voltage level at the input terminal I₃ of the NAND gate 165 becomes1 and the voltage level at the input terminal I₄ is 1. The voltage levelof the output terminal O₂ is changed to 0 and an instruction signal fora shift up is output.

When the switches are placed in the ON state at the same time, theswitch that is turned off first is regarded as the invalid one and theswitch that is maintained on is regarded valid. Such processingsubstantially matches the intent of a player.

Thus, even if a player erroneously operates the right and left shiftlevers 125 and 126 at the same time, the operation progressesautomatically in consonance with the intent of the player, and excellentusability is provided.

Fixed structure of the base casing of the steering wheel controlapparatus

FIGS. 2 through 4 will be referred to again for the explanation of thefixed structure of the base casing 10 of the steering wheel controlapparatus in this embodiment.

The front wall 10a, the top wall 10b, the side walls 10c and the plate10d constitute the structure as shown. To use the steering wheel controlapparatus 3, as is shown in FIG. 9, the steering wheel control apparatus3 is placed, with the steering wheel 14 held by the hands, betweenthighs PF of a player P who is seated on the sofa 9. The thighs contactthe side walls 10c of the base casing 10 to hold the base casing 10, andat the same time, the thighs are mounted on the horizontally extendingplate 10d to hold it between the thighs and the sofa 9, so that thesteering wheel control apparatus is securely held in place.

Since both front ends 10dc of the plate 10d are diagonally cut back (seethe broken line in FIG. 3), the back of the knees of the player P doesnot touch the plate 10d and the player feels comfortable while using it.Further, as the surface of the plate 10d is processed by creping toprevent it from sliding, the steering wheel control apparatus 3 issecurely held in place by the pressure of the thighs.

The side walls 10c of the base casing 10 that is held between the thighsare so provided that their interval is reduced toward the rear. That is,the side walls 10c are so provided that they form a shape that issimilar to an opened fan from the juncture of the legs outward towardthe knees, so that it is easy to hold the steering wheel controlapparatus 3 between the thighs while using it. As is described, thesteering wheel control apparatus 3 is securely fixed by the thighs PF ofthe player P. The player P does not, therefore, have to worry about thebase casing 10 shifting during the operation of the steering wheel, andcan thus concentrate on playing and can fully enjoy the game.

In this embodiment, the creping is performed on the surface of the plate10d. The formation of protrusions, and dimple processing or knurling,which are effective for the prevention of sliding, may be performed, ora coating of rubber to prevent sliding may be applied.

If rubber feet or sucking disks are attached to the bottom plate 11 onthe lower face of the plate 10d, the rubber feet or the sucking diskswill perform effectively with some types of chairs in which the player Psits, and the steering wheel control apparatus 3 can be held moresecurely.

The steering wheel control apparatus 3 of this embodiment is so designedthat a plurality of the button switches 15, and the shift levers 125 and126 are provided on the steering wheel 14 so that the player P cancontrol the game while P holding the steering wheel 14. If the basecasing 10 is adequately secured by the thighs of the player P, as isdescribed above, the usability of the apparatus can be enhanced.

Steering wheel position adjustment mechanism

The steering wheel control apparatus 3 of this embodiment permits theposition of the steering wheel 14 to be changed and adjusted to aposition that is appropriate for a player. The adjustment mechanism willnow be explained while referring again to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, and to FIGS.10 through 15.

First, the position adjustment mechanism for the inclination angle ofthe steering column 12 will be explained.

As is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, between the side walls 10c of the basecasing 10, the slightly lower end center portion of the steering column12 is pierced by a shaft 20 that passes through it horizontally andsupports the steering column 12 and permits it to incline freely.

A bottom wall 12a of the cylindrical steering column 12 serves as a partof a cylindrical wall that employs the shaft 20 as a center axis. Threegrooves 21, which are extended horizontally, are formed at equalintervals along the external circumference of the cylinder. In theembodiment, the boundary portions at the grooves 21 are formed smoothlyand thus the external circumference of the bottom wall 12a has a waveshape.

In the opening, of the top wall 10b of the base casing 10, into whichthe steering column 12 is fitted, a flat engagement member 22 that has apredetermined width extends from the lower edge of the opening. As isshown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the engagement member 22, which is extendeddownward from the opening edge, is bent forward and extendshorizontally, and its distal end is curved upward to form an engagementprotrusion 23.

The engagement member 22 that has a long length from the front to therear is flexible, and the engagement protrusion 23 at the distal end canbe displaced downward by elastic deformation. The engagement protrusion23 of the engagement member 22 is fitted into one of the grooves 21 inthe bottom wall 12a of the steering column 12 to temporarily hold thesteering column 12 at a current inclined position.

A cylindrical inclination locking member 25 is inserted along the topface of the bottom wall 11 through a round hole, which is located in thelower end center of the front wall 10a of the base casing 10, and isrotatably supported while it is directed to the front and to the rear.

A knob 25a is formed at the portion, of the inclination locking member25, that extends forward from the front wall 10a of the base casing 10.An operating portion 25b that projects to the side is formed at thedistal end of the member 25 that is inserted into the base casing 10.The operating portion 25b can engage the recess that is defined by thelower face of the engagement protrusion 23 of the engagement member 22,which is curved upward.

In FIG. 10 is shown the locking state for the inclination locking member25. In this condition, the engagement protrusion 23 of the engagementmember 22 is fitted into the center groove 21 in the bottom wall 12a ofthe steering column 12, and the operating portion 25b of the inclinationlocking member 25 engages the recess that is formed at the distal end ofthe engagement protrusion 23. The downward displacement of theengagement protrusion 23 is inhibited by the operating portion 25b thatengages it. Even if a player desires to change the inclination of thesteering column 12, the engagement protrusion 23 can not be removed fromthe groove 21 in the bottom wall 12a of the steering column 12 by whichthe steering column 12 is held in the inclined position, and theinclination of the steering column 12 can not be changed.

When the knob 25a of the inclination locking member 25 is rotated about90 degrees, the inclination locking member 25 rotates the same distance.As is shown in FIG. 11, the operating portion 25b is thereby disengagedfrom the engagement protrusion 23 and the engagement member 22 istherefore susceptible to elastic deformation, enabling the engagementprotrusion 23 to be displaced downward.

At this time, the steering column 12 is temporarily held by theengagement protrusion 23. As is shown in FIG. 11, if the steering column12 is inclined further, the engagement protrusion 23, which is fittedinto the groove 21 by the elastic deformation of the engagement member22, is thereby disengaged from that groove 21, travels along thecircumference of the cylinder, and engages the next groove 21. Theinclination angle of the steering column 12 is thus changed and thesteering column 12 is temporarily held in position (see the chaindouble-dashed lines in FIG. 11).

Such a state is shown in FIG. 11. When the steering column 12 is heldtemporarily, the steering column 12 can be inclined and its inclinationangle can be changed and set at three different angles by engaging thethree individual grooves 21 with the engagement protrusion 23. In otherwords, the inclination angle of the steering wheel 14 can be adjustedand set at three separate angles.

When the inclination locking member 25 is rotated and the operatingportion 25b engages the engagement protrusion 23 to lock the steeringcolumn 12, the inclination angle of the steering wheel 14 is fixed.

The adjustment of the positioning distance for the steering wheel 14,i.e., the extension and depression structure of the steering shaft 13,will now be described while referring to FIGS. 12 through 15.

The steering shaft 13, to which the steering wheel 14 is integrallyfixed at its top end, is formed in a substantially parallelepiped shape,and three grooves 30 that extend perpendicular to the axial directionare formed, in a row along the shaft, in side faces that are opposite toeach other. The steering shaft 13 is fitted into an engagement cylinder31.

The engagement cylinder 31 is hollow, and the opening in its lower halfhas a substantially parallelepiped shape that is the same as the crosssection of the steering shaft 13. The steering shaft 13 is fitted intoand slides in the axial direction within that lower half and the tworotate together.

The upper half of the engagement cylinder 31 is cylindrical, and in ittwo pairs of engagement pieces 32 and 34, in which each piece faces alike piece, are formed by the provision of a plurality of slits in theaxial direction.

The engagement pieces 32 each have an engagement pawl 33 that protrudesinward, and the other engagement pieces 34 each have an engagement pawl35 that projects outward.

An annular member 36 is fitted around the external surface of theengagement cylinder 31 at a location that is slightly lower than thecenter.

A ring shaped extension/depression locking member 38 is rotatably fittedover the top end of the engagement cylinder 31, and the steering shaft13 is passed through the extension/depression locking member 38.

The extension/depression locking member 38 consists of a taperedexternal wall 38a and a circular portion 38b, with the diameter at itstop edge being the smallest. Slits 38c are formed on opposite sides inthe tapered external wall 38a, and a plurality of grooves 38d are formedin the external surface. The configuration of the interior of theextension/depression locking member 38 is apparent from the descriptionin FIG. 15 that illustrates its structure from below. More specifically,four operating portions 39, each of which projects inward toward anotherfrom the internal surface of the wall 38a, are arranged parallel to thecenter axis. Further, engagement portions 40 that are perpendicular tothe center axis are provided via walls 40a that extend downward from thecircular portion 38b (that extend upward in the diagram). While the wall40a is provided at one end of each engagement portion 40, a stopper wall40b is provided at the other end of the engagement portion 40 inparallel to the operating portion 39. With this arrangement, thecircular portion 38b, the walls 40a, the engagement portions 40 and thestopper walls 40b define spaces, and the engagement pawls 35 can berotated, which will be described later.

The distance between the opposing operating portions 39 and the distancebetween the engagement portions 40 are slightly greater than the outerdiameter of the engagement cylinder 31. The inner diameter of thecircular portion 38a is smaller than the outer diameter of theengagement cylinder 31 and greater than the outer diameter of thesteering shaft 13.

In the extension/depression locking member 38 that covers the top end ofthe engagement cylinder 31, the engagement pieces 32 and 34 that arearranged in a circle around the engagement cylinder 31 are fitted intothe corresponding operating portions 39 and the engagement portions 40.By displacing the engagement piece 34 inward, each engagement pawl 35whose distal end faces outward is engaged in the portion that is definedby the engagement portion 40. The engagement pawls 35 can move withinthis space in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 15, and asa result, the extension/depression locking member 38 can be rotatablyattached to the engagement cylinder 31.

When the steering shaft 13 is inserted, the engagement pieces 32 of theengagement cylinder 31 are elastically displaced outward by theengagement pawls 33 that extend inward. When the engagement pawls 33reach opposing grooves 30, together they engage the grooves 30 and theengagement pieces 32 return to their original positions relative to thecylinder.

In this manner, the steering shaft 13 is inserted into the engagementcylinder 31, and the extension/depression locking member 38 is fittedover the top end of the engagement cylinder 31. This state is shown inFIGS. 13 and 14. As is shown in FIG. 15, the operating portions 39 ofthe extension/depression locking member 38 are set in the locked state(the state as indicated by the chain double-dashed lines) when theoperating portions 39 are positioned at the distal ends of theengagement pieces 32 (indicated by the chain double-dashed lines), andin the released state when the operating portions 39 are removed fromthe distal ends of the engagement pieces 32 by the rotation of theextension/depression locking member 38 in the direction indicated by thearrow A in FIG. 15.

In FIG. 13 is shown the locked state. The engagement pawls 33 at thedistal ends of the engagement pieces 32 of the engagement cylinder 31are fitted into the grooves 30 in the steering shaft 13, and theoperating portions 39 are positioned at the edge of the engagementpieces 32, which inhibits the disengagement of the engagement pawls 33from the grooves 30 with the engagement pieces 32 opening outward. Thesteering shaft 13, therefore, can not be extended or depressed, and theoperating distance for the steering wheel 14 (the height position of thesteering wheel 14) is fixed.

In this condition, when the extension/depression locking member 38rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 15 to set thereleased state, the engagement pieces 32 are shifted in the directionindicated by the arrow B, and they can be spread outward, as isindicated by the double-headed arrow C. Then, the steering shaft 13 isextended or depressed by holding the steering wheel 14 and pulling orpushing it. The engagement pieces 32 are elastically deformed, and theengagement pawls 33 are removed from the grooves 30. Then, as is shownby the chain double-dashed lines in FIG. 14, the engagement pawls 33slide over the side faces between the grooves 30 and engage othergrooves 30, so that the steering shaft 13 is temporarily held in place.The solid lines in FIG. 14 indicate the temporary holding state.

In this state, the position of the steering wheel 14 can be freelychanged. In this embodiment, three sets of opposed grooves 30 are formedin the steering shaft 13 to enable it to be moved forward and backwardand positioned the three different levels.

When the steering shaft 13 is temporarily held at a proper position, theextension/depression locking member 38 is rotated in the directionopposite to the arrow A so as to provide the locked state with theoperating portions 39 positioned at the distal ends of the engagementpieces 32. Since the engagement pawls 35 are sandwiched between thewalls 40a and the stopper walls 40b, movement in the direction that isindicated by the arrow B and the range is limited, as is describedabove.

The position of the steering wheel 14 can be adjusted and fixed in theabove described manner.

Centering mechanism

The steering wheel control apparatus 3 in this embodiment has acentering mechanism by which, when a steering wheel is released, it isautomatically returned to a center portion for straight forward driving.The centering mechanism will now be described while referring to FIGS.16 through 18.

The steering column 12 is indicated by the chain double-dashed lines inFIGS. 16 through 18, and stoppers 50 and 51 project inward at givenpositions inside the steering column 12. The stoppers 50 and 51 arelocated at positions along the upper and lower faces 36a and 36b of theannular member 36, which is fitted over the engagement cylinder 31 thatrotates with the steering shaft 13.

Protrusions 55 and 56 are provided at predetermined positions on theupper and lower faces 36a and 36b of the annular member 36.

In FIG. 16 is shown a steering wheel 14 when it is in the centerposition for straight forwarding driving. The protrusions 55 and 56 ofthe engagement cylinder 31 are positioned side by side with therespective stoppers 50 and 51 of the steering column 12. A torsionspring 52 is so provided around the external surface of the annularmember 36, with its top end 52a abutting upon the stopper 50 and theprotrusion 55 and its bottom end 52b abutting upon the stopper 51 andthe protrusion 56, that the torsion sprint 52 exerts a slight urgingforce in the closing direction.

As is shown in FIG. 17, therefore, when the steering wheel 14 is rotatedclockwise, the engagement cylinder 31 is also rotated clockwise with thesteering shaft 13 and the protrusions 55 and 56 are rotated clockwise asis indicated by the arrow D. The top end 52a of the torsion spring 52 isheld stationarily by the stopper 50, and the bottom end 52b is driven bythe protrusion 56. As a result, the torsion spring 52 is graduallyopened, while a reaction force acts on the steering wheel 14 to returnit to its original position.

When the steering wheel 14 is rotated counterclockwise, the protrusions55 and 56 are turned in the direction indicated by the arrow E, as isshown in FIG. 18. The bottom end 52b of the torsion spring 52 is heldstationary by the stopper 51, and the top end 52a is driven by theprotrusion 55, so that the torsion spring 52 is gradually opened. Areaction force acts on the steering wheel 14 to return it to itsoriginal position.

The reaction force that acts on the steering wheel 14 increases inconsonance with an increase in the steering angle.

When the player P rotates the steering wheel 14, he is aware of areaction force that is consonant with the steering angle. When theplayer P releases the steering wheel 14, it is automatically returned tothe center position for straight forwarding driving, thus imparting tothe player P a sensation of actually driving a car.

The steering wheel control apparatus in this embodiment has the abovedescribed arrangement. The player P sits down on the seat 9 whileholding the steering wheel control apparatus 3 between the thighs, andfixes the base casing 10. First, the knob 25a of the inclination lockingmember 25 is manipulated to release the steering wheel 14 from a fixedinclination and to temporarily hold it in position. The steering column12 is inclined with the steering wheel 14 and is adjusted to the mostappropriate inclination angle. Then, the inclination locking member 25is manipulated again to the locked position to fix the inclination ofthe steering wheel 14. Following this, the extension/depression lockingmember 38 is rotated to release the steering wheel 14 from the positionin which it is fixed and to temporarily hold it in position. Thesteering shaft 13 is extended or depressed with the steering wheel 14 toadjust the position (the height) of the steering wheel 14 so as toobtain the most appropriate position. The extension/depression lockingmember 38 is operated and locked, and the position of the steering wheel14 is fixed.

As is described above, since the inclination and the position of thesteering wheel 14 can be adjusted, the steering wheel 14 can be set atan optimal position for each player and can be controlled easily, and aplayer can always enjoy a game under the best conditions. Especiallywhen a plurality of operational button switches 15 and the shift levers125 and 126 are provided on the steering wheel 14, a steering wheel 14can be fixed at an optimal position for a player, and its usability canbe increased.

Since the centering mechanism is provided for the steering wheel, aplayer can experience a feeling that is similar to actually driving acar, and can thus enjoy the game more.

The steering control in this embodiment is performed by a control diskDISC, which is provided around the engagement cylinder 36, and a lighttransmitter/detector PD, which is provided adjacent to the disk DISC, asis shown in FIG. 13. A plurality of holes are formed intermittentlyaround the circumference of the control disk DISC. Light that is emittedby the transmitter/detector PD on one side of the disk passes throughthese holes and is acquired on the other side to detect the rotationaldirection and the angle of the steering wheel.

In FIG. 19 is shown another embodiment where button switches 19a and 19bare provided on the upper and lower sides of a center portion 14d of asteering wheel 14. A game start switch and a game stop switch areprovided in the steering wheel center portion 14d and serve as buttonswitches that are not used during the playing of the game.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show an example where a plurality of button switches areprovided on a handlebar that is employed for motorcycles, and an examplewhere a plurality of button switches are provided on a control stick.

FIG. 20 is a top view of a handle bar 250. Handlebars 252 and 253 thatextend to the left and to the right from a rotary shaft 251 have grips254 and 255 at their distal ends. Push button sets 256 and 257, in eachof which are three push buttons, are respectively located at the rootsof the grips 254 and 255, toward the front of the handlebar. The pushbutton switch sets 256 and 257 are in sight of a player, enabling theplayer to visually select a button and to depress the button with athumb while holding the grips 254 and 255. Another push button switch258 is also provided near the rotary shaft 251. These push buttonswitches can function the same as those in the previous embodiment.

As is shown in FIG. 21, which shows a control stick 260, three pushbutton switches 262 are arranged across the top end of a grip 261, and aplayer can selectively depress the push button switch 262 with a thumbwhile holding the grip 261.

A modification of the embodiment in FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 22. Althougha base casing 10 is structured the same as that in the previousembodiment, a steering wheel 14 has a simple circular shape, rather thanhaving a shape wherein the right and the left sides of the steeringwheel are symmetrically formed.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

First, according to the present invention, a player can selectivelymanipulate a plurality of button switches while holding the steeringwheel. The steering wheel control apparatus, therefore, possessesexcellent usability, and is appropriate for television games thatrequire quick control responses. Thus it is possible for games toprovide progressively greater gratification for players as skill isacquired in their use, and the players can enjoy the games more.

A plurality of button switches are located at the front of the steeringwheel and within sight of the player, so that a player can observe themanipulation of switches and can prevent errors during their operation.For a rotary steering wheel that has a pair of grip portions, thearrangement of a plurality of button switches on the grip portions canfacilitate a more complex and a higher level switch manipulation.

Further, a switch that is not used during a game is located in thecenter, or in the vicinity of center, at the front of the steeringwheel. With this arrangement, since one hand must be removed from thesteering wheel in order to manipulate that switch, manipulation errorscan be prevented.

Second, since a steering wheel control apparatus according to thepresent invention is so designed that the individual shift levers on thereverse surface of a steering handle are operated independently, theshift lever mechanism can be compactly and simply constructed around thesteering wheel, and is appropriate for employment with the steeringwheel control apparatus that is to be connected to a television gamemachine for home use. Even in with a television game that is played athome, a player can enjoy a sense of control that is similar to thatwhich is experienced when actually driving a racecar.

Further, when both the shift levers are being operated, electricprocessing is performed so that it is assumed that the control that isimposed by one of the shift levers is valid and that the result of theoperation of the other is invalid. Therefore, errors that occur duringthe operation of the shift levers can be automatically eliminated so asto follow the desire of a player as much as possible.

Third, according to the present invention, since a player can securelyhold the base casing of the steering wheel control apparatus between thethighs, and the player does not, therefore, have to be careful aboutshifting the steering wheel control apparatus unnecessarily whilemanipulating the steering wheel, the player concentrate on and fullyenjoy playing the game.

A plate is extended to the right and to the left along the bottom faceof the base casing. The player can hold the base casing between thethighs, and at the same time, can press down on the plate, which extendsoutward to either side, with the thighs from above, so that the basecasing can be held more securely. With the securing mechanism, a playercan manipulate the structure wherein a plurality of button switches andthe shift levers are provided on the steering wheel.

Fourth, according to the present invention, when the locking means hasbeen released, the steering column is temporarily held by the temporaryholding means so that it can be inclined. The steering column is freelyinclined by moving a steering wheel and can be maintained at a properinclination. The steering wheel can be secured in an optimal inclinedposition by setting and locking the locking means, and such a conditionthat the steering wheel is easily operated at an optimal inclinedposition can be provided.

In addition, when the locking means is set in the lock released state,the steering shaft is temporarily held by the temporary holding means sothat it can be freely extended or depressed. The steering shaft cantherefore be freely extended or depressed with the steering handle andcan be temporarily maintained at a desired height. When the steeringshaft is locked by the locking means, the steering wheel can be fixed atan optimal vertical position for easy operation.

The inclination and the extension/depression of the steering wheel canbe adjusted by the provision of the steering wheel inclination positionadjustment structure and the steering wheel extension/depressionposition adjustment structure. The usability is therefore enhanced.

What is claimed is:
 1. A steering wheel control apparatus for a gamemachine, which supplies a control signal to said game machine,comprising:a rotational steering wheel having a pair of grips atsymmetrically located positions to the center of rotation; a pluralityof button switches provided at positions on a front portion of saidsteering wheel and to which thumbs of hands holding said grips can bemoved, and transmitting said control signal; and a switch arranged in acenter, or near said center, of a front face of said steering wheel. 2.A steering wheel control apparatus, which supplies control signal to agame machine connected to a monitor, comprising:a base casing; asteering column supported by said base casing at a predeterminedinclination; a steering shaft rotatably provided to said steeringcolumn; a steering wheel including a steering wheel center portion whichis provided at a top end of said steering shaft, an upper elongatingmember and a lower elongating member which extend from said steeringwheel center portion in right and left radial directions, and gripswhich are provided between said upper elongating member and said lowerelongating member, wherein substantially arched openings are formedbetween said steering wheel center portion and said grips; and aplurality of button switches, provided on said upper face of said leftand right upper elongating members and near said grips, provided withina range to which a thumb of a hand of a player holding said gripreaches, and supplying said control signal to said game machine.
 3. Asteering wheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim2, wherein:said base casing includes sides converging along a front torear direction and a plate extending beyond said sides in the left andright directions along the bottom surface thereof where said left andright directions are defined by a view of a user operably seated behindthe steering wheel control apparatus; whereby a player securely holdssaid sides of said base casing between said player's thighs, and pressesdown on said plate with said player's thighs from above.
 4. A steeringwheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim 2, whereinsaid base casing rotatably supports said steering column to be inclinedfreely, further comprising a steering wheel position adjusting structurewhich includes:temporary holding means for permitting said steeringcolumn to be rotated and for temporarily holding said steering column ata desired angle; and locking means for inhibiting the rotation of saidsteering column.
 5. A steering wheel control apparatus for a gamemachine according to claim 4, wherein, in said steering wheel positionadjusting structure, said temporary holding means comprises:an externalbottom wall face of said steering column is formed in a curved shape, aplurality of grooves extending toward the sides on the external bottomwall face are formed along a circumference of the face, an engagementmember extending from the base casing and having an engagementprotrusion at the distal end thereof which can be deplaced downward byelastic deformation is formed, and the engagement protrusion of saidengagement member engages one of said grooves in said steering column sothat said inclined steering column is temporarily held at the position;and said locking means comprises: an inclination locking member isprovided to the base casing, so that an active portion thereof can befreely engaged upward with and disengaged from said engagementprotrusion by an operation of the inclination locking member, wherebywhen said active portion of said inclination locking member engages withsaid engagement protrusion of said engagement member, a downwarddisplacement of said engagement protrusion is inhibited and thus saidlocked state is provided, and when said active portion of saidinclination locking member is separated from said engagement protrusion,said downward displacement of said engagement protrusion is permittedand thus a lock released state is provided.
 6. A steering wheel controlapparatus for a game machine according to claim 2, further comprisingasteering wheel position adjusting structure which includes: temporaryholding means for permitting said steering shaft to be extended ordepressed and for temporarily holding said steering shaft at a desiredposition; and locking means for inhibiting said steering shaft frombeing extended or depressed.
 7. A steering wheel control apparatus for agame machine according to claim 6, wherein, in said steering wheelcontrol position adjusting structure, said temporary holding meanscomprises:a plurality of grooves extending in a direction vertical to anaxial direction of said steering shaft are formed on a surface of saidsteering shaft and along the axial direction, a cylindrical engagementmember is provided, said cylindrical engagement member being insertedextendingly or depressingly along the axial direction by the steeringshaft, being rotated together therewith, and having an engagement piecewhich includes an engagement pawl whose distal end is bent inward, saidengagement piece being displaced by elastic deformation thereof in adirection of the greatest diameter of the cylindrical engagement member,whereby, when said engagement pawl engages with one of said grooves insaid steering shaft, said extension/depression position of said steeringshaft is temporarily determined; and said locking means comprises: acircular extension/depression locking member rotatably engaging with anend of said cylindrical engagement member is provided and is so operatedthat operating portion thereof externally contacts to, or separatesfrom, said engagement piece of said engagement member, said cylindricalengagement member is rotatably supported by said steering column,whereby when said operating portion of said extension/depression lockingmember contacts said engagement piece of said engagement member, anexpansion of said diameter of said engagement piece is inhibited and alocked state is provided, and when said operating portion of saidextension/depression locking member separates from said engagement pieceof said engagement member, said expansion of said diameter of saidengagement piece is permitted and an unlocked state is provided.
 8. Asteering wheel control apparatus, for a game machine, which supplies acontrol signal to said game machine, comprising:a pair of grip portionspositioned at predetermined right and left locations on a steeringwheel; and a pair of shift levers provided at a reverse surface of saidsteering wheel, said pair of shift levers having manipulable segmentsnear said grip portions and being independently operated when fingers ofboth hands holding said pair of grip portions contact said manipulablesegment, wherein a signal to shift up is generated by the operation ofone of said shift levers and a signal to shift down is generated by theoperation of said other shift lever.
 9. A steering wheel controlapparatus for a game machine according to claim 8, wherein said shiftlevers have a base supported at a rotation center of said steeringwheel, extend toward said grip portions, and have said manipulablesegments at distal ends thereof positioned near said grip portions toserve as floating active points.
 10. A steering wheel control apparatusfor a game machine according to claim 8, further comprising:a signalprocessing means for processing signals from said shift levers so that,when both said shift levers are being operated, one of said shift leveroperations is valid and the other shift lever operation is invalid. 11.A steering wheel control apparatus, which supplies control signal to agame machine connected to a monitor, comprising:a base casing; asteering column rotatably supported by said base casing at apredetermined inclination; a steering shaft rotably provided to saidsteering column; a steering wheel including a steering wheel centerportion provided at a top end of said steering shaft, an upper post anda lower post and a lower post extending from said steering wheel centerportion in right and left radial directions, and grips provided betweensaid upper post and said lower post, substantially arched openings beingformed between said steering wheel center portion and said grips, saidsteering wheel being constituted by an upper casing and a lower casing;and a right and left operation member rotatably supported, between theupper and lower casings, by shafts at a center of said upper and saidlower casings, and being integrally formed for a center portionrotatably supported and right and left manipulable segments which areextended toward said grips and positioned near said grips and in saidsubstantially arched openings, wherein right and left operation memberlever controls right and left switches in said steering wheel by beingpulled up with fingers of said right and left hands holding said grips.12. A steering wheel control apparatus, which supplies control signal toa game machine, comprising:a base casing rotatably supporting a steeringshaft of a steering wheel, said base casing having sides which convergealong a front to rear direction so that said sides can be easily heldbetween player's thighs.
 13. A steering wheel control apparatus for agame machine according to claim 12, wherein a plate is extended to theright and to the left along said bottom face of said base casing wheresaid left and right directions are defined by a view of a user operablyseated behind the steering wheel control apparatus.
 14. A steering wheelposition adjusting structure for a steering wheel control apparatus fora game machine that supplies control signals to said game machine,comprising:a steering column for rotatably supporting a steering wheel;a base casing for rotatably supporting said steering column to beinclined; steering column temporary inclination holding means forpermitting said steering column to be rotated and for temporarilyholding said steering column at a desired position; and steering columninclination locking means for inhibiting the rotation of said steeringcolumn.
 15. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine,according to claim 14, wherein, said steering column temporaryinclination holding means comprises:an external bottom wall face of saidsteering column is formed in a curved shape, a plurality of groovesextending toward the sides in the external bottom wall face are formedalong a circumference of the face, an engagement member extending fromthe base casing and having an engagement protrusion at the distal endthereof which can be deplaced downward by elastic deformation is formed,and the engagement protrusion of said engagement member engages one ofsaid grooves in said steering column so that said inclined steeringcolumn is temporarily held at the position; and said steering columninclination locking means comprises: an inclination locking member isprovided to the base casing, so that an active portion thereof can befreely engaged upward with and disengaged from said engagementprotrusion by an operation of the inclination locking member, wherebywhen said active portion of said inclination locking member engages withsaid engagement protrusion of said engagement member, a downwarddisplacement of said engagement protrusion is inhibited and thus saidlocked state is provided, and when said active portion of saidinclination locking member is separated from said engagement protrusion,said downward displacement of said engagement protrusion is permittedand thus a lock released state is provided.
 16. A steering wheel controlapparatus for a game machine, according to claim 15, wherein saidexternal bottom wall face of said steering column is formed insubstantially a wave shape due to the provision of said plurality ofgrooves.
 17. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machineaccording to claim 14, further comprising:a pair of grip portionspositioned at predetermined right and left locations on a steeringwheel; and a pair of shift levers provided at a reverse surface of saidsteering wheel, said pair of shift levers having manipulable segmentsnear said grip portions and being independently operated when fingers ofboth hands holding said pair of grip portions contact said manipulablesegment, wherein a signal to shift up is generated by the operation ofone of said shift levers and a signal to shift down is generated by theoperation of said other shift lever.
 18. A steering wheel controlapparatus for a game machine according to claim 14, wherein said basecasing which converge along a front to rear direction.
 19. A steeringwheel control apparatus for a game machine that supplies control signalsto said game machine, comprising:steering column temporary extensionholding means for permitting said steering shaft to be extended ordepressed and for temporarily holding said steering shaft at a desiredposition; and steering column extension locking means for inhibitingsaid steering shaft from being extended or depressed.
 20. A steeringwheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim 19,wherein:said steering column temporary extension holding meanscomprises: a plurality of grooves extending in a direction vertical toan axial direction of said steering shaft are formed on a surface ofsaid steering shaft and along the axial direction, a cylindricalengagement member is provided, said cylindrical engagement member beinginserted extendingly or depressingly along the axial direction by thesteering shaft, being rotated together therewith, and having anengagement piece which includes an engagement pawl whose distal end isbent inward, said engagement piece being displaced by elasticdeformation thereof in a direction of the greatest diameter of thecylindrical engagement member, whereby, when said engagement pawlengages with one of said grooves in said steering shaft, saidextension/depression position of said steering shaft is temporarilydetermined; and said steering column extension locking means comprises:a circular extension/depression locking member rotatably engaging withan end of said cylindrical engagement member is provided and is sooperated that operating portion thereof externally contacts to, orseparates from, said engagement piece of said engagement member, saidcylindrical engagement member is rotatably supported by said steeringcolumn, whereby when said operating portion of said extension/depressionlocking member contacts said engagement piece of said engagement member,an expansion of said diameter of said engagement piece is inhibited anda locked state is provided, and when said operating portion of saidextension/depression locking member separates from said engagement pieceof said engagement member, said expansion of said diameter of saidengagement piece is permitted and an unlocked state is provided.
 21. Asteering wheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim19, further comprising:a pair of grip portions positioned atpredetermined right and left locations on a steering wheel; and a pairof shift levers provided at a reverse surface of said steering wheel,said pair of shift levers having manipulable segments near said gripportions and being independently operated when fingers of both handsholding said pair of grip portions contact said manipulable segment,wherein a signal to shift up is generated by the operation of one ofsaid shift levers and a signal to shift down is generated by theoperation of said other shift lever.
 22. A steering wheel controlapparatus for a game machine according to claim 19, wherein a basecasing rotatably supporting said steering shaft has sides which convergealong a front to rear direction.
 23. A steering wheel control apparatus,for a game machine, comprising:said steering wheel inclination positionadjusting structure according to claim 14, and said steering wheelextension/depression position adjusting structure according to claim 19.24. A steering wheel control apparatus, for a game machine,comprising:said steering wheel inclination position adjusting structureaccording to claim 15; and said steering, wheel extension/depressionposition adjusting structure according to claim
 20. 25. A steering wheelcontrol apparatus for a game machine according to claim 9, furthercomprising:a signal processing means for processing signals from saidshift lever so that, when both said shift levers are being operated, oneof said shift lever operations is valid and the other shift leveroperation is invalid.
 26. A steering wheel control apparatus for a gamemachine, which supplies a control signal to said game machine,comprising:a base casing; a steering column supported by said basecasing at a predetermined inclination; a steering shaft rotatablyprovided to said steering column; a steering wheel including a steeringwheel center portion which is provided at a top end of the steeringshaft and right and left grips provided through extending from thesteering wheel center portion wherein substantially arched openings areformed between said steering wheel center portion and said grips; aplurality of upper-face operation means, provided at an upper-face sideof the steering wheel center portion and at a near side of the grips towhich the hands of the player holding each grip can reach, for supplyingsaid control signals to the game machine; and back-face operation means,provided at a back-face side of the steering wheel center portion and ata near side of the grips to which the hands of the player holding eachgrip can reach, for supplying said control signals to the game machine.27. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine, whichsupplies a control signal to said game machine, comprising:a basecasing; a steering column supported by said base casing at apredetermined inclination; a steering shaft rotatably provided to saidsteering column, a steering wheel including a steering wheel centerportion which is provided at a top end of the steering shaft and rightand left grips provided through extending from the steering wheel centerportion; a cylinder rotatable together with the steering shaft andprovided in the steering column; and a spring provided around thecylinder and having an upper terminal and a lower terminal which areabutted between an upper protrusion and a lower protrusion provided tothe surface of the cylinder and to an upper stopper and a lower stopperprovided to the interface of the steering column; whereby when thesteering wheel is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, the steeringwheel has a centering function for returning to the other directionthrough an elasticity of the spring generated between the upperprotrusion and the lower stopper or between the lower protrusion and theupper stopper.
 28. The steering wheel control apparatus as recited inclaim 27 further comprising button means on said steering wheel forsupplying control signals to said game machine.
 29. The steering wheelcontrol apparatus as recited in claim 27 further comprising an operationmember operably disposed on said steering wheel between the centerportion and one of the left and right grips, said supplying signals tosaid game machine.
 30. The steering wheel control apparatus as recitedin claim 29 further comprising button means on said steering wheel forsupplying control signals to said game machine.
 31. The steering wheelcontrol apparatus as recited in claim 27 further comprising means foradjustably inclining said steering column with respect to said basecasing, and further comprising means for locking said steering column ina selected inclined position.
 32. The steering wheel control apparatusas recited in claim 27 further comprising means for adjustably extendingsaid steering column with respect to said base casing, and furthercomprising means for locking said steering column in a selected extendedposition.
 33. A steering wheel control apparatus, which supplies controlsignals to a game machine connected to a monitor, comprising:a basecasing; a steering column supported by said base casing at apredetermined inclination; a steering shaft rotatably provided to saidsteering column; a steering wheel including a steering wheel centerportion which is provided at a top end of said steering shaft, an upperelongating member and a lower elongating member which extend from saidsteering wheel center portion in right and left radial directions, andgrips which are provided between said upper elongating member and saidlower elongating member, wherein substantially arched openings areformed between said steering wheel center portion and said grips; aplurality of button switches, provided on said upper face of said leftand right upper elongating members and near said grips, provided withina range to which a thumb of a hand of a player holding said gripreaches, and supplying said control signals to said game machine; andright and left operation member provided at a reverse side of saidsteering wheel having right and left operation portions which are nearsaid right and left grips so that a finger of a player holding said gripreaches thereto, and supplying said control signals to said gamemachine.
 34. A steering wheel control apparatus, which supplies controlsignal to a game machine, comprising:a base casing rotatably supportinga steering shaft of a steering wheel, said base casing having sideswhich converge along a front to rear direction so that said sides can beeasily held between player's thighs; a pair of grip portions positionedat predetermined right and left locations on a steering wheel; and apair of operation members provided at a reverse side of said steeringwheel, and having manipulable segments near said pair of grip portions,so as to supply predetermined control signals to said television gamemachine by an operation to said manipulable segment with fingers ofright and left hands holding said grip portions.
 35. A steering wheelcontrol apparatus for a game machine according to claim 33, wherein:saidsteering wheel is constituted by an upper casing and lower casing; theright and left operation member is provided between said upper and lowercasings and rotatably supported by shaft support portions provided at acenter of the upper and lower casings, wherein the right and leftoperation member includes a center portion supported by the shaftssupport portions, and right and left operating portions extended towardsaid grips and positioned near said grips and in said openings, and saidcenter portion and said right and left operating portion are integrallyformed; and said right and left operation member controls right and leftswitches in said steering wheel by being pulled up with fingers of saidright and left hands holding said grips.